CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR PREGNANCY

Chiropractic care is a safe and gentle approach to health care for the pregnant woman. Relief from symptoms associated with pregnancy such as lower back pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, heartburn, and nausea can be managed without the use of drugs. In addition, Dr. Vivian Keeler is certified in the Webster Technique; which is designed to balance the pelvic structures and their associated muscles and ligaments. A balanced pelvis reduces the likelihood of uterine constraint which can cause the baby to be positioned incorrectly. By applying the Webster Technique, the constraint is resolved and often allows the baby to get into the optimum position for birth. For more information about Chiropractic care during pregnancy and beyond view the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association’s Website.

Read these additional Articles on Chiropractic in Pregnancy:

Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
By Elizabeth Bonet, PhD

“She’s breech – what?!” No pregnant woman likes to hear this news. Breech or Transverse for most of us means weeks of trying all kinds of crazy unproven techniques such as diving in a swimming pool, shining lights down low, having our partners talk to our bellies, and positioning our huge and awkward bodies upside down on ironing boards! It means weeks of worry as well, hoping the baby will turn in order to avoid a cesarean section.

Some women request an “external version;” a technique performed in the hospital where the doctor attempts to turn the baby with external pressure. This is usually considered a last resort as it requires hospitalization and mild sedation. In addition, these days many doctors aren’t trained in the technique or do not allow it.

The Webster TechniqueWhat if there was a completely safe technique that did not require hospitalization, sedation, or a doctor’s permission? The Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique that has very high success rates in allowing breech and transverse babies to turn. Notice the word “allowing.” It doesn’t actually turn the baby, rather facilitates the baby turning on its own.

During pregnancy, the bones of the pelvis shift quite a bit to prepare for childbirth. This can cause tightening in the ligaments and muscles in the lower back area as well as those that attach to the pelvis, resulting in some constraint of the uterus. This constraint can make it difficult for the baby to get into a head down position. The Webster Technique is a very gentle pelvic adjustment that corrects the misalignments. The uterus then relaxes and the baby has a little more room to turn. Dr. Vivian Keeler, a chiropractor certified in the technique who practices in Hollywood, Florida says, “The Webster Technique is interesting in that it is designed to balance out the pelvis and its muscles and ligaments. A balanced pelvis usually results in better baby positioning – important for easy birth.”

What’s amazing about the Webster Technique is the reported success rates, which range from 75% to 95%. A November 7, 2001 report on a study conducted by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association reported a success rate of 92%. That’s much higher than anything reported about playing music “way down low!”

“Will it hurt?” Absolutely not. It’s painless. In fact, you may walk out feeling better than when you walked in. Most people feel great after a chiropractic adjustment, especially during pregnancy. The Webster Technique is no different in its goal – to bring alignment back to your body. Lisa Douglas, who tried the Webster Technique to get her posterior positioned baby to turn into an easier position for birth, was very happy to have had the adjustment. She highly recommended it saying, “I felt him [the baby] turn immediately. The birth was fast and easy. I think it could have been so much worse had the baby still been in the wrong position.”

My Back Feels So Much Better!Chiropractic care during pregnancy can actually help prevent a malpositioned baby as well as relieve a host of pregnancy related complaints – heartburn, sciatica, neck strain, ligament pulling, back and leg pain. Dr. Keeler says, “So many woman suffer with back issues and really don’t have to.” How many women see chiropractors during their pregnancy? A lot more than you think! Even women who have never seen a chiropractor many times seek one out when they are pregnant. Jenifer Carbulon, who used a chiropractor during her pregnancy for intense back and leg pain, said, “The chiropractor adjusted my back and hips and I felt 100% better. I definitely plan to use a chiropractor in a future pregnancy because my back and hips felt better in those last weeks of pregnancy than the earlier part.”

So how do find a chiropractor? The best way is to ask your friends and people you trust who they see. If you’re using the chiropractor for a breech, transverse, or posterior positioned baby, make sure he or she is trained in the Webster Technique. Not every chiropractor is able to do it. Check out the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association to find the nearest chiropractor who has the certification. Then, after you make your appointment, just roll yourself off the ironing board and rest assured that you’re doing everything you can!

Dr. Vivian Keeler, chiropractor, doula, and HypnoBirthing® instructor can be reached at Amazing Births and Beyond in Hollywood, Florida or via e-mail at vivian@amazingbirthsandbeyond.com. Elizabeth Bonet, Ph.D. is a freelance writer who lives in Sunrise, Florida. She can be reached at elizabeth@yogafairy.com.

HYPNOSIS FOR CHANGE AND WELLNESS

Hypnosis is a natural and effective approach to help you lose weight, stop smoking and reduce stress while increasing your health and confidence. Simply stated hypnosis is focused attention. Your mind is aware and your body is relaxed.

People can change their behavior without using hypnosis. But there are times when you want help and support in making a change. And it is in these situations that hypnosis can be one of the most effective ways to change behavior.

Hypnosis will not make you change. Hypnosis cannot make you lose weight or make you quit smoking or make you feel less stressed, but if changing your behavior is what you desire to do, hypnosis allows you to use your mind as an ally in your success.

The initial appointment includes a thorough consultation, assessment and hypnosis session, and typically lasts an hour and one-half. Subsequent appointments are usually scheduled for one hour. Click here to schedule a consultation

ACUPUNCTURE FOR WELLNESS

The practice of acupuncture and moxibustion is based on the theory of meridians. According to this theory, chi (vital energy) and blood circulate in the body through a system of channels called meridians, connecting internal organs with external organs or tissues. By stimulating certain points of the body surface reached by meridians through needling or moxibustion, the flow of chi and blood can be regulated and diseases are thus treated. These stimulation points are called acupuncture points, or acupoints.

Acupuncture is an integral part of the rapid growth of complementary medicine in the United States. It has had at least 2,000 years of documented use and continual development in the Far East. Although often described as a means of pain relief, it in fact can treat people with a wide range of illnesses. Its focus is on supporting the natural processes of the body mind in its movement towards greater health, and the treatment of specific symptomatic disease. The health of the body is dependent on the life force energy –known as Chi or Prana- moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of energetic channels (meridians). These energy channels are treated with very fine needles to unblock and stimulate the flow of energy. This activation enhances the function of the organs, vitalizing our muscular, immune, digestive, metabolic and hormonal systems.

Acupuncture is truly a holistic approach to developing and maintaining life long quality of health.

Acupuncture now offered in Hollywood and Weston call 954-610-9754 for an appointment.